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2008 Heart Walk Raises Record Ammount
By: Matthew T. Ronco

The American Heart Association held its 7th Annual Heart Walk Saturday, May 17 at the scenic ConAgra Campus in downtown Omaha. According to the Omaha Police Department, a combination of nearly 8,000 Nebraska and Iowa residents attended the 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. event to show their support for the fight against heart disease.

Walkers gathering before the 10 a.m. start of the walk were treated to a myriad of booths set up by local businesses and organizations in one of three themed communities: Create Hope, Inspire Change and Celebrate Success. Both education and entertainment were provided at the event, with the focal point being a stage that provided live performances and award presentations. A Deloitte-sponsored kid zone offered heart healthy activity for the little ones in the form of a rock-climbing wall, clowns, face painting, temporary tattoos, and an autograph table with local celebrities including Nebraska football players and Miss Nebraska contestants. A tribute wall also honored those touched by heart disease.

Man’s best friend was not forgotten at the event, with Purina and No-Frills offering pet friendly areas featuring water and healthy snacks for a member of the family that often helps keep us walking and healthy. Free healthy food and drink samples for hungry walkers were provided by Healthy Choice and Robert’s Dairy.

A lifestyle change award was given on behalf of the American Heart Association and Alegent Health to Therese Vavra of First National Bank for her commitment to heart healthy living. Individual fundraising awards were given to Jack Koraleski and Mary Kay Miller, with company awards going to Union Pacific (top non-medical institution), Creighton University Medical Center (top medical institution) and TD Ameritrade (top new company). Emcees John Oakey and Allison Steele awarded Curves the award for best t-shirt. Thanks to these companies and individuals throughout the Metro, the American Heart Association was able to raise nearly $700,000 through the event, which is the highest raised in a Nebraska event to date.

This year’s walkers were treated to a walk over three miles long that started at Conagra Campus and looped onto Omaha’s beautiful Riverfront Drive, passing Gallup and Miller’s Landing before returning back to ConAgra via Abbott Drive and 10th Street. The weather cooperated to make the walk a pleasant and healthy experience for those involved, which helped the American Heart Association remind us all of the importance of activity as a deterrent to heart problems.

The American Heart Association’s Omaha Chapter works to raise money for research, prevention and care – money that stays in Nebraska to help Nebraskans. According to the association’s Web site, cardiovascular diseases and stroke are the number one cause of death in Nebraska. To learn more about heart disease or to become part of the fight, visit www.americanheartassociation.com.
Here to Help
By: Sara Cline

Helping people when they need it – that’s what Bellevue Church of Christ is all about. “Our church building has been here for our members for decades,” said Jeff Weaver, minister, Bellevue Church of Christ. “But we want the entire community to know that we are here to help all people.”

One of the ways the church is helping is by offering a food and clothing pantry to anyone who needs it. Coordinated by church member Dot Highberg, the pantry started in November 2007. “There are people in the community who need food, clothing and many times just someone to talk to,” Weaver said. “Our goal is to meet the basic needs of people who are struggling to get by from week to week because they’ve lost their jobs or have just come upon hard times for different reasons. Sometimes people just need a little help and that’s it.”

“We know that all kinds of people are struggling,” Highberg said. “When people come to our pantry, we don’t ask their background. We don’t limit the number of times they can come in, and we don’t ask for identification.”

“It doesn’t say in the Bible that people must have proof of identification to get help,” Weaver said. “The Bible just says to help. We’ve helped more than 30 families and 70 individuals already.”

“We are a church,” Highberg said, “and we want to feed bodies and souls.” Weaver added, “we do ask ‘is there anything that we can do for you? What is your relationship with God right now?’ We have had several people join our Bible studies as a result of the pantry. After coming to the pantry a few times to feed their body, some decide they also want to be fed spiritually – which is great. However, if someone comes in and only wants food, we’ll give them food. And, they can keep coming back for food.”

Most of the pantry’s items come from the church’s members; however, donations from anyone are appreciated. Scheduled hours for accepting donations are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, but items can be accepted almost any time. Items especially needed are non-perishable food, diapers, toiletries, laundry soap, coats, children’s clothing and blankets.

The pantry’s hours are 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday night. “However, if someone needs something at a different time, they can come in and we’ll help them,” said Highberg.

“This pantry has fed us as a church family as much as we’ve fed the community,” Weaver said. “We see the true gratitude of people. It’s sometimes difficult for people to ask for help, but when they come and see that there are no strings attached – that we just really, truly love them – they are so grateful, and we’re blessed to help them.”

Another way Bellevue Church of Christ is helping to meet the community’s needs is by hosting a “We Care Campaign.” “My husband, Stew, and I learned of this campaign a while ago and participated for two years,” Highberg said. “We went with groups across the United States knocking on doors with food asking people if they needed help or if they knew of anyone we could use help. It’s amazing how people open up to you and start talking because they know you are really getting your Christianity out of these (the church building) doors and getting into the neighborhoods where you need to be.”

“You can’t serve God just inside a building,” Weaver said. “Bellevue’s campaign will run from July 30 through August 10. Our goal is for every member of our congregation to get out, knock on doors and help people.” Volunteers from across the country are also participating including a group of teenagers from Leavenworth, Kan. and teens from Bellevue Church of Christ.

“Holding a ‘We Care Campaign’ will help our church and the community break out of its comfort zone,” Weaver said. “A lot of people don’t like to talk with strangers, but we need to help people and the more people that go out and knock on doors the more effective we can be to help spread God’s Word.”

“As people participate in this campaign,” Highberg said, “they’ll find that there are some really good people out there instead of what you always hear on the news about how bad things are. This campaign is one of the best experiences anyone will ever have.”

To learn more about the church, pantry and the ‘We Care Campaign’ call 291-3585 or visit www.bellevuecofc.com.
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